China and Montenegro yesterday inked a joint communiqué
establishing diplomatic ties.
"The establishment of China-Montenegro diplomatic ties is a
significant event in the history of bilateral relations," said
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, following the signing of the joint
communiqué by Li and his Montenegrin counterpart Miodrag
Vlahovic.?
Montenegro is the 168th country to establish diplomatic
relations with China.
China and Montenegro, in line with the interests and desire of
the two peoples, have decided to establish diplomatic relations at
the ambassadorial level as from July 2006, according to the
communiqué.?
The two countries agreed to develop friendship and cooperation
on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty
and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference
in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and
peaceful coexistence.?
China respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Montenegro.?
"Montenegro recognizes that there is but one China in the
world," the communiqué states. "The government of the People's
Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the
whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's
territory."
Montenegro opposes "Taiwan independence" of any form and opposes
Taiwan's accession to any international or regional organization
whose membership applies only to sovereign states.?
Montenegro vows not to establish official relations of any form
or have any official exchanges with Taiwan.
China and Montenegro agree to provide each other with all the
necessary assistance for the establishment and performance of the
functions of their respective embassies on the basis of equality
and mutual benefit and in accordance with international
practice.
"The communiqué spells out the common aspiration of the two
peoples and conforms to their fundamental interests," Li said in a
meeting with Vlahovic. "It lays a solid foundation for
China-Montenegro relations in the new era."
"We thank Montenegro for its opposition to 'Taiwan independence'
of any form and Taiwan's accession to any international or regional
organization accessible only to sovereign states," Li said.
Vlahovic appreciated China's prompt recognition of Montenegro's
independence.
Hailing China's vital role in international affairs, Vlahovic
said Montenegro would like to develop mutually beneficial
cooperation with China in various fields.
The Chinese government announced its recognition of Montenegro's
sovereignty and independence on June 14.
Montenegro was admitted as the 192nd member of the UN on June
28.
Montenegrin Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic declared the
independence of Montenegro on June 3 after its parliament ratified
the results of an independence referendum held on May 21.
The declaration ended Montenegro's long-time union with Serbia
that was established in 1918.
(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2006)